Garvan Woodland Gardens
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a botanical garden near Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas owned by the University of Arkansas.
The Gardens are situated on a woodland peninsula on Lake Hamilton. The Gardens feature rocky inclines reminiscent of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains, floral landscapes, streams, and waterfalls in a natural woodland setting, plus a Japanese Garden with Japanese maples and tree peonies, a conifer border, and various flower and rock gardens. Its collections display hundreds of rare shrubs and trees, including camellias, magnolias, roses, and over 160 different types of azaleas.
The Gardens was started by Verna Cook Garvan, daughter of Arthur B. and Louise Cook of Malvern, Arkansas. Mr. Cook operated Wisconsin-Arkansas Lumber Co. and the Malvern Brick and Tile Company until his death in 1934. Shortly afterward, Mrs. Garvan assumed control as one of the first female CEO’s of a major southern manufacturing business and served in that capacity until her retirement in the 1970s. The garden site was purchased in the 1920s after a clear-cut in about 1915. In 1956, Mrs. Garvan began to develop it as a garden and over the next forty years planted thousands of specimens. Upon her death, Mrs. Garvan left the property to the Department of Landscape Architecture through the University of Arkansas Foundation.
Garden Admission & Hours
Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
Last Admission Sold at 5:30 p.m.
Admission Fees (tax included)*
| Members | Free | |
| Adults (age 13 and up) | $15.00 | |
| Children 6-12 | $5.00 | |
| Children to age 5 | Free | |
| Dogs (on leash) | $5.00 | |
| Golf Cart Ride Parking |
$15.00 per person additional, cannot be reserved Free |
|
| *Rates subject to change |
The Gardens are always closed:
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- January, including New Year’s Day
What to Photograph:
There is plenty to photograph all year long (Except January). A couple of my favorite events are the Tulips which bloom in March and the Holiday lights in November and December.
In addition the Garden is home to Anthony Chapel with its floor-to-ceiling glass walls presenting picturesque views of the surrounding woodlands The simple, yet stately, six-story tall structure is considered one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the state of Arkansas.
Best Time for Photographers:
Morning hours are the best for photography, the gardens do open until 9:00 am so there is no need to try to be there before then, and they close at 6:00 pm except for the holiday lights display in November and December.
The gardens change throughout the season with different plants blooming all the time, click here for the garden bloom calendar.
Getting There:
Driving Directions
Directions from Little Rock/Benton area:
Traveling on I-30 WEST from Little Rock, continue driving until you reach Exit 111 and take the exit ramp to US 70W (Hot Springs). Continue on 70W until you reach Exit 6 and take ramp towards 270/70W Glenwood/Mount Ida. Loop onto the Martin Luther King Expressway. Take Exit 7 or highway 128 (Carpenter Dam Road). At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Carpenter Dam Road and travel 4 miles to Arkridge Road. Signage will instruct you to turn right onto Arkridge Road. Travel 1.1 miles to the Garden entrance, keeping to the left when the road forks.
Directions from Arkadelphia area:
Traveling on I-30 EAST from Arkadelphia, continue traveling to exit #97 or AR 171. (Follow signs for Lake target pharmacy generic Catherine State Park). Turn left onto highway 171 toward Diamondhead (AR 290). Bear left on HWY 290 to 128 (Carpenter Dam Road). Turn right and drive 1-2 blocks to Arkridge Road. Turn left and travel 1.1 miles to the Garden entrance.
Directions from historic, Downtown Hot Springs:
Take highway 7 SOUTH (Central Avenue) past Oaklawn Race Track and stay in the left lane under the Martin Luther King Expressway overpass (270/70 E). Stay in the far left-hand lane and turn left onto the frontage road, then left again (heading EAST) onto the MLK Expressway. Drive approximately 1.5 miles to Exit 7(Highway 128 or Carpenter Dam Road) and veer right onto Carpenter Dam Road. Drive 4 miles. Turn right on Arkridge Road and drive 1.1 miles to the Garden entrance.
Directions from 270/Martin Luther King Expressway:
Take Exit #7 or 128 (Carpenter Dam Road) and turn west. Travel 4 miles to Arkridge Road. Turn right onto Arkridge Road and travel 1.1 miles to the Garden entrance.
Directions from Highway 7 South (near Hot Springs Mall and Lake Hamilton bridges areas):
Driving SOUTH on Highway 7 – Turn EAST/LEFT on Hwy. 290. Travel 6.5 miles, bearing left the entire distance. Turn LEFT on Carpenter Dam Rd. (Highway 128). Drive 1-2 blocks, Turn LEFT on Arkridge Rd. The Garden entrance is 1.1 miles straight ahead.
Directions from Highway 7 South (Arkadelphia/Lake DeGray area):
Traveling NORTH on Highway 7 and before reaching Lake Hamilton, turn RIGHT/EAST on Highway 290 and drive approximately 6.5 miles, bearing left the entire distance. Turn left on (Highway 128) Carpenter Dam Road and drive 1-2 blocks. Turn left again and travel 1.1 miles to the Garden entrance.
Maps:
Click here for larger map
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
Location Contact Information:
Garvan Woodland Gardens
Links
Garvan Woodland Gardens Website
Nearest City or Town:
Hot Springs Arkansas
Garvan Woodland Gardens Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in Arkansas:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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